GenomeScan B.V.

Their core work

GenomeScan is a Leiden-based genomics service company that provides high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to research consortia studying cancer and other complex diseases. Within H2020 projects, they serve as the sequencing and genomic profiling partner, enabling large-scale molecular studies on liquid biopsies, extracellular vesicles, and biomarker discovery. Their work spans prostate cancer diagnostics, tissue regeneration in graft-versus-host disease, and chronic kidney disease genomics, consistently providing the sequencing infrastructure that academic partners rely on for translational research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

GenomeScan's early H2020 involvement (2015-2017) centred on targeted disease areas — tissue regeneration in graft-versus-host disease (RETHRIM) and prostate cancer networks (TransPot). From 2018 onward, their focus sharpened around liquid biopsy technologies and extracellular vesicle analysis, with ELBA and proEVLifeCycle both addressing blood-based cancer diagnostics. Their most recent project (TrainCKDis, 2020) signals diversification beyond oncology into chronic kidney disease, suggesting they are broadening the clinical domains where their sequencing capabilities are applied.

GenomeScan is expanding from oncology-focused sequencing into broader disease areas (nephrology, epigenetics) while deepening expertise in liquid biopsy analytics — positioning them as a versatile genomics service partner for translational medicine projects.

How they like to work

GenomeScan has never coordinated an H2020 project, consistently serving as a specialist participant or third party — the classic profile of a service-providing SME that brings technical infrastructure rather than scientific leadership. Their involvement in 5 projects with 61 unique partners across 15 countries shows they are well-connected and trusted by diverse academic consortia. The dominance of MSCA-ITN projects (3 of 5) indicates they regularly host and train early-stage researchers, making them an accessible and integration-friendly partner.

GenomeScan has collaborated with 61 unique partners across 15 countries, building a broad European network primarily through MSCA training networks. Their connections span major cancer research centres and university hospitals, particularly in Western and Northern Europe.

What sets them apart

GenomeScan occupies a specific niche as a private sequencing company embedded in academic training networks — they bring commercial-grade genomics infrastructure to research consortia that might otherwise lack sequencing capacity. Unlike university core facilities, they operate as an independent SME with flexibility to join multiple consortia simultaneously across disease areas. For consortium builders, they offer a proven track record of reliable sequencing partnership without the overhead of engaging a large contract research organization.

Highlights from their portfolio

• proEVLifeCycle
  Directly combines their two core strengths — extracellular vesicle biology and prostate cancer — with a focus on translating biomarkers into personalized medicine.
• ELBA
  A European-wide liquid biopsies academy covering the full spectrum of blood-based diagnostics (ctDNA, exosomes, CTCs, tumour-educated platelets) — positions GenomeScan at the centre of this rapidly growing diagnostic field.
• TrainCKDis
  Marks their strategic expansion beyond oncology into nephrology and epigenetics, demonstrating versatility of their sequencing platform across disease domains.